“How was that?” she asked. Her freckled cheeks were flushed the prettiest shade of pink.
“You did a great job! You just needed some coaching to feel confident. You’re a natural!” She beamed at my praise, and that got the wheels in my brain turning. “You know, I could train you.”
She rested her arms over the bar and smiled at me. “You’d do that? Don’t you have administrative stuff to do?”
I mean, I did. She was a small-business owner, too, so she knew how time-consuming running your own business could be. But for her? I’d make time.
“Well, I’m filling in for one of my trainers currently. She’s out on sick leave.” It was a half-truth.
“But what about payment? I can’t let you do this for free.” Her voice was stern. She had pride. I liked it.
“What about baked goods in exchange for training? We can meet here early in the morning when I normally work out andtrain together.” The last thing I needed were more sweets sitting around, but if it kept her coming back, I’d gladly take them.
She slowly nodded her head and bit her lower lip. “I could probably swing baked goods in exchange for training. How early are we talking, though?”
“Four a.m.” I raised my furry eyebrows at her.
“Ugh. You’re killing me, Atlas! That’s so early,” she groaned, and hid her face.
“What? Don’t bakers wake up early?” I gave her my best wolven-next-door grin.
“I’m not that kind of baker!”The cute kind was what she was.
“Come on. It’ll be fun. Don’t you want to avoid future wedding-cake mishaps?” I cocked my head in question and stared down my muzzle at her.
“Of course I do.”
“What better way to do that than train with a five-time physique gold medalist?” It was rare that I talked about myself that way, but Ireallywanted her to agree to this.
She rolled her eyes at me, then smiled. “Well, when you put it that way, I can’t really pass up free lessons, can I? What day are we starting?”
“Tomorrow.” I pointed at her, cocking my head. “Four a.m., Tegan.”
“All right, all right. I got that part the first time you said it!” She giggled and scrunched up her little button nose in distaste.
Cute.
“We should probably exchange phone numbers. You know, so I can harass you if you don’t show up.” My muzzle curled up in a smirk.
Good thinking, Atlas.Getting to spend time with herandfinally getting her number. I was a fucking legend. Killing this flirting shit.
She placed one hand on her wide hips and held out the other for my phone. “I promise I’ll be here,” she said as she saved her contact info. “Make sure you text me so I have your number.”
Oh yeah.She wants it.
I typed out a quick text.
Hi Tegan. It’s Atlas from Leviathan Fitness Be ready to hit it hard tomorrow.
Her phone vibrated and she snorted when she read my text. “You really like emojis, don’t you?”
I smiled and shrugged. “What, they’re cute. You know us muscle heads aren’t very articulate.”
She laughed again. I didn’t think I’d ever get tired of hearing that sound or seeing her smile.
“I better get back to the desk. Make sure you take it easy the rest of the evening. I don’t want you to be sore tomorrow.”
“Yes, sir!” she said, and fake-saluted me.
